Current Tusker - Mavalanga

[RosemaryH]

Current Tusker - Mavalanga

Photo by Robert Bryden

Origin of Name: Named in memory of Piet Otto who served firstly as a helicopter pilot and later as Head of Flight and Game Capture operations in the Kruger National Park 25 years. (Mavalanga is shangaan meaning ‘one who has very good eyesight’, this refers to Piet’s exception ability to spot game on census long before anyone else for this he was dubbed “Mr Eye’s” by those who worked with him).




Read more about Mavalanga Here

[Meandering Mouse]

just a taste

and then the final evidence

[Meandering Mouse]

Some one knows this handsome guy.. enough to place a mark

seen close to Babalala last September..

my what big tusks you have

more on my camera, if you wish.

[Meandering Mouse]

Some more pictures:

[Meandering Mouse]

These were taken between Babalala and Shinwetzi in September 2009. As can be seen, he has possibly been caught in a fire and is healing from his burns.

[RosemaryH]

MM thanks so much for posting interesting pictures and details. I had sent your request through and here is the reply

This a wonderful sighting of Mavalanga (named for Piet Otto), the ‘donut’ on his trunk is a good telltale characteristic as well as the heavy ivory and shape. He has a very large range and is known to move between Pafuri and the Olifants Bangu area. I am not sure what caused the injury it could have been a burn having walked into a still smoldering tree branch possibly – I can do more investigations there if wanted. We have had sightings of him since 2009 without the injury so it would seem to have healed. I would love to have these images submitted with full details to the project via email.

MM, it would be great if you could submit your pictures and details via email to [email protected] or to [email protected] Thanks